OUR VIEW: Let people brew legally

Published: Friday, February 1, 2013 at 7:19 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, February 1, 2013 at 7:29 p.m.

Thousands of Alabamians, it's estimated, are felons, and many of them don't even know it.

Many of us have broken a law or two — exceeding the speed limit, running a red light or jaywalking, for instance — but did you know that anyone in Alabama who brews beer or makes wine in his or her home is committing a felony?

House Bill 9, prefiled by Rep. Mac McCutcheon, R-Huntsville, aims to legalize making small quantities of certain alcoholic beverages for personal, non-commercial use. It's about time.

Homebrewing was popular before Prohibition and today is a growing hobby. It was federally sanctioned in 1978, but remains subject to individual state laws. Only Alabama and Mississippi have not legalized the practice.

The American Homebrewers Association estimates about 1 million people nationwide practice homebrewing, and 5,000 or so Alabamians are thought to be practitioners.

The bill would allow homebrewers to make up to 15 gallons of beer (equivalent to about two cases per month), wine, cider or mead per quarter, while expressly prohibiting production of stronger types of alcohol including bourbon, whiskey and vodka. It would not enable residents of dry towns or counties to legally make beer or wine. Convicted felons would be barred from the practice as well.

A similar bill passed the House last year, despite some opposition on religious grounds. The bill didn't make it through the Senate, falling victim to an overcrowded calendar.

“We have many, many people in this state that like to homebrew,” McCutcheon told a Huntsville television station. “There's a lot of interest in this, and this is a hobby for a lot of people. … This is a good bill for property rights and individual rights.”

Many people condemn the use of alcohol, but the fact remains that it is legal for most adults to drink. It shouldn't be illegal for them to make their own beverage of choice.

<p>Thousands of Alabamians, it's estimated, are felons, and many of them don't even know it. </p><p>Many of us have broken a law or two — exceeding the speed limit, running a red light or jaywalking, for instance — but did you know that anyone in Alabama who brews beer or makes wine in his or her home is committing a felony?</p><p>House Bill 9, prefiled by Rep. Mac McCutcheon, R-Huntsville, aims to legalize making small quantities of certain alcoholic beverages for personal, non-commercial use. It's about time. </p><p>Homebrewing was popular before Prohibition and today is a growing hobby. It was federally sanctioned in 1978, but remains subject to individual state laws. Only Alabama and Mississippi have not legalized the practice.</p><p>The American Homebrewers Association estimates about 1 million people nationwide practice homebrewing, and 5,000 or so Alabamians are thought to be practitioners. </p><p>The bill would allow homebrewers to make up to 15 gallons of beer (equivalent to about two cases per month), wine, cider or mead per quarter, while expressly prohibiting production of stronger types of alcohol including bourbon, whiskey and vodka. It would not enable residents of dry towns or counties to legally make beer or wine. Convicted felons would be barred from the practice as well.</p><p>A similar bill passed the House last year, despite some opposition on religious grounds. The bill didn't make it through the Senate, falling victim to an overcrowded calendar.</p><p>“We have many, many people in this state that like to homebrew,” McCutcheon told a Huntsville television station. “There's a lot of interest in this, and this is a hobby for a lot of people. … This is a good bill for property rights and individual rights.” </p><p>Many people condemn the use of alcohol, but the fact remains that it is legal for most adults to drink. It shouldn't be illegal for them to make their own beverage of choice.</p>